Welcoming the Barnhardt twins!

I had my weekly MFM appointment today so I was gonna mention how I was cramping pretty bad to them. They noticed I was contracting every 3-5 minutes so they did the BPPs (ultrasound) and then checked my cervix. It was a 1-2 cm and they sent me to l&d for monitoring and to be rechecked. I was rechecked with no progress but the fluids didn’t slow the contractions. I got a steroid shot for babies’ lungs and was told I’d get another one in 24 hours (which won’t be necessary now). Shortly after, I started having severe lower abdomen pain. I wasn’t sure what it was at first. I noticed it was lining up with the contraction monitor and I wasn’t having the upper belly tightening anymore. I had a feeling they were real contractions. It felt like my uterus was in a vise where you’d feel monthly cramps. But it was a sharp and tight feeling that made it hard to breathe, and I was unable to move or talk through them. They wanted to keep me a few more hours and recheck. Turns out I dilated a bit more and I was told babies were coming! This was at 10pm. Everything went so fast and next thing I knew, I had my spinal done and was getting cut open, Steven by my side❤️. I kept telling my ob and the other staff I wanted February babies. I told them to stall lol. It was 11:58 and I hear “ohhh boy, it’s gonna be close!” And I’m like JUST STALL! And a nurse offered to trip my ob but I said no lol. So next thing I knew everyone is laughing and saying “omg two different months?! We’ve never had that before!” And Baby B was out, making him Baby A. Then baby A (who is now b) was born.

William was born at 11:59pm on January 31. 19” and 5 pounds 10 oz.

Caleb was born at 12:01am on February 1. 19.75” and 6 pounds 13 oz.

We are saying they’re fraternal since Caleb has lighter hair. So far we are doing okay. They brought both babies to my room and had me do skin to skin with Caleb as he was “grunting” which signals breathing difficulty. After 45 minutes, they reassessed him and took him to the nicu for low oxygen levels, and visible breathing difficulties. William was fed 15 mL and they checked his sugar and it was 20 (they want it above 45). So they gave him sugar gel and he ate another 10mL from a bottle. They checked it again and it was only 23 so he joined his brother in the nicu. Hoping for short stays. We should be able to get up and see them later today.

I’m feeling okay. I have some pain but nothing too major right now. Steven is sleeping on the couch and after things calm down with my care, I’ll hopefully sleep a bit too. Prayers for the boys would be great. They shouldn’t need much and should be able to have a short stay but I know being early has it’s risks.

Caleb has the blue string on his hat and William has the pink string. Missing my boys but glad they’re being watched closely. Can’t wait to see them later 💙💙